Inmate on riot in Colombia jail over virus fears

A deadly riot broke out in a prison in Colombia's capital, leaving 23 inmates dead, authorities said Sunday, as tensions rise over the spread of the coronavirus. Justice Minister described the events at the La Modelo prison in Bogota as an attempted prison escape, but advocates for inmates said officials had cracked down on inmates staging a peaceful protest over conditions they feared would exacerbate infections with the virus.

Family members, many wearing protective masks, gathered outside, clamoring for information. The Justice Minister said no inmates had escaped and that to date, none had been diagnosed with coronavirus either.